An in depth look at what Wire EDM really is!

Electrical Discharge Machining or EDM is a highly accurate method of part production. Wire EDM technology is essential for higher tolerance parts and repeatable tooling.

At Snow, we have a variety of machines that include: 5 Wire EDM Machines and 1 CNC High Speed small hole driller. This translates into the ability to produce high precision parts for many applications - accompanied by the quick turnaround needed to meet your project goals. With the Electrical Discharge Machining process we are capable of cutting all types of conductive materials, including metals such as titanium, graphite, inconel, hard tool steels, carbide, aluminum, etc.

Achieving high accuracy and tighter tolerances is essential for many industries such as aerospace, medical, injection molding, and tool and die. We can easily produce and repeat the required specifications with Electrical Discharge Machining.

A few benefits of using Wire EDM for your project.

Efficient Production Capabilities - Because of the precision and high-speed of wire EDM machines, manufacturers are discovering that many parts can be more economically produced with wire EDM, rather than with conventional machining.

Reliable Repeatability - The constant reliability of wire EDM is one of the greater advantages of this process. Because the programs are computer generated and the electrode is constantly being fed from a spool (the wire electrode is used only once), the last part is identical to the first part. The cutter wear found in conventional machining does not exist. In addition, tighter machining tolerances can be maintained without additional cost.

Reduced Costs - The high-speed cutting Wire EDM machines of today have dramatically reduced costs for many manufactured parts. Conventional machining often leaves sharp edges and burrs, but a radius can be made with Wire EDM without any additional cost. This eliminates a filing or sanding operation.

Unlimited Possibilities - Many parts can be economically produced with wire EDM, such as: precision gages and templates, keyways, shaft and collet slots, splitting tubes, gears, internal splines, hexes, cams, extrusion molds, punches and dies from one piece of tool steel, short run stampings from stacked material, and many other exotic shapes.

Exotic Materials - Wire EDM can cut any electrically conductive material hard or soft. In fact, the EDM manufactures use hardened D2 to rate the cutting speed of their machines. Hardened D2 cuts faster than cold roll steel. What can become a nightmare with conventional machining, does not faze wire EDM at all.

How does Wire EDM work?

EDM stands for "Electrical Discharge Machine"
An electrical charge is applied to an electrode, a brass wire, copper, sterling, or graphite.
The electrode then makes a electrical connection with the steel.
A spark jumps from the electrode to the work piece and disintegrates the steel with a controlled electrical charge.
This process happens thousands of times per second. The mirror image of the electrode is formed in the work piece.

Advantages of using Wire EDM.

Low and high volume machining
Automated threading
Submerged cutting for thermal stability and interrupted cuts
Intricate shapes